System and method of providing prompt information for flight of uavs, control terminal and flight system

ABSTRACT

A method of providing prompt information includes obtaining sensitive area information and marking a sensitive area on a navigation map according to the sensitive area information. The sensitive area affects a flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The method further includes obtaining position information of the UAV, determining a positional relationship between the UAV and the sensitive area according to the sensitive area information and the position information of the UAV, and generating the prompt information according to the positional relationship.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/017,769, filed on Jun. 25, 2018, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/CN2015/098812, filed on Dec. 25, 2015,the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a flight navigation technology for unmannedaerial vehicles (UAVs), and more particularly to a system and method ofproviding prompt information for flight of UAVs, a UAV control terminaland a flight system.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are aircrafts that fly at low altitudes.A flight of UAVs can be controlled by a remote controller. The operationcondition in low altitude flight environment can be challenging and aflight can be restricted by sensitive areas. The UAV operators have toavoid a flight of UAVs in the sensitive areas, otherwise they may besubject to liability as affecting public security. Therefore, UAVoperators need the sensitive area information near the UAV in decisionmaking.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In view of above, there is a need to provide a system and method ofproviding prompt information for a flight of unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs), a UAV control terminal, a processor, a memory and a flightsystem to address the problems in the conventional technologies.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of providingprompt information for a flight of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Themethod can comprise obtaining sensitive area information and marking asensitive area on a navigation map according to the sensitive areainformation, the sensitive area affecting a flight of the UAV; obtainingposition information of the UAV and determining a positionalrelationship between the UAV and the sensitive area according to thesensitive area information and position information of the UAV; andgenerating prompt information according to the positional relationship.

In some embodiments, the obtained sensitive area information cancomprise at least one of pre-stored sensitive area information orsensitive area information received in real time.

In some embodiments, the sensitive area information can comprise a typeof sensitive area. The method can further comprise: setting acorrespondence between the type of sensitive area and a level ofsensitivity; and setting a correspondence between the level ofsensitivity and a pattern of marking.

In some embodiments, the type of sensitive area can at least comprise awarning zone, a releasable flight-restricted zone and a non-releasableno-fly zone. The level of sensitivity can at least comprise level one,level two and level three. The process of setting a correspondencebetween the type of sensitive area and the level of sensitivity cancomprise: associating the warning zone with the level one, a sensitivearea of level one being configured to provide a warning prompt to aflight of the UAV; associating the flight-restricted zone with the leveltwo, a sensitive area of level two being configured to provide arestriction prompt to a flight of the UAV; and associating the no-flyzone with the level three, a sensitive area of level three beingconfigured to provide a prohibition prompt to a flight of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the sensitive area information can further compriseposition information of sensitive area. The process of marking asensitive area on a navigation map according to the sensitive areainformation can comprise determining a position of the sensitive area onthe navigation map according to the position information of sensitivearea; determining the level of sensitivity of the sensitive areaaccording to the type of sensitive area; and marking the sensitive areausing a pattern of marking associating to the determined level ofsensitivity.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise marking the levelof sensitivity of the sensitive area on the navigation map.

In some embodiments, the pattern of marking can comprise at least one ofa color block or an icon. A color of the color block can at leastcomprise green, yellow or red. A shape of the color block can compriseat least one of a regular contour or an actual contour of a sensitivearea. The icon can at least comprise an icon of a representative objectin a sensitive area.

In some embodiments, the regular contour can comprise at least one of acircular contour, a square contour or an equilateral polygonal contour.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise marking thesensitive area using a color block having a regular contour. The colorblock having a regular contour can completely cover an actual contour ofthe sensitive area.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise marking the actualcontour of the sensitive area using a dashed line.

In some embodiments, the process of setting a correspondence between alevel of sensitivity and a pattern of marking further can compriseassociating the level one with a green color block; associating thelevel two with a yellow color block; and associating the level threewith a red color block.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving a settingoperation information with respect to adding or removing a marking ofthe warning zone, and adding or removing the marking of the warning zoneaccording to the received setting operation information.

In some embodiments, the process of determining a positionalrelationship between the UAV and the sensitive area according to thesensitive area information and position information of the UAV cancomprise determining the positional relationship between the UAV and themarked sensitive area according to the sensitive area information markedon the navigation map and the position information of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the prompt information can be generated if thepositional relationship shows that a horizontal distance between the UAVand the sensitive area is less than a predefined distance. The promptinformation can comprise at least one of the type of the sensitive area,the level of sensitivity of the sensitive area or a distance between theUAV and the sensitive area.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise providing theprompt information by an audio signal; and/or displaying a navigationprompt interface containing the prompt information.

In some embodiments, the prompt information can be generated if thepositional relationship shows that a position of the UAV is within themarked sensitive area. The prompt information can comprise at least oneof the type of sensitive area or the level of sensitivity of thesensitive area.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise displaying anavigation prompt interface containing the prompt information.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise providing theprompt information by an audio signal.

In some embodiments, when the positional relationship shows that aposition of the UAV is within the marked warning zone, the promptinformation can further comprise prompt information alerting a flight ofthe UAV, and the navigation prompt interface further comprises at leasta prompt option as to whether to remove a marking of the warning zone.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving operationinformation with respect to the prompt option, and removing a mark ofthe warning zone if the operation information indicates a removal of amarking of the warning zone.

In some embodiments, when the positional relationship shows that aposition of the UAV is within the marked flight-restricted zone, theprompt information can further comprise prompt information restricting aflight of the UAV, and the navigation prompt interface can at leastcomprise a prompt option as to whether to release the flight-restrictedzone.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving operationinformation with respect to the prompt option; obtaining a valididentity information and sending the operation information and the valididentity information to a supervisory platform if the operationinformation indicates a release of the flight-restricted zone; andremoving a marking of the flight-restricted zone if a releasinginstruction is received from the supervisory platform.

In some embodiments, the valid identity information can comprise atleast one of an identity information of a UAV operator or anauthentication certificate. The authentication certificate can at leastcomprise an authenticated identity information of the UAV operator.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise removing thenavigation prompt interface corresponding to the sensitive area if amarking of the sensitive area is removed.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise, if a plurality ofsensitive areas having different levels of sensitivity overlap and amarking of a sensitive area having a lower level of sensitivity isremoved, maintaining a marking of a sensitive area having a higher levelof sensitivity in the overlapped area.

In some embodiments, when the positional relationship shows that aposition of the UAV is within the marked no-fly zone, the promptinformation can further comprise prompt information prohibiting a flightof the UAV, and the navigation prompt interface can further comprise atleast one of a plurality of confirmation options including confirming apermission of entering the no-fly zone, confirming a liability of flyingin the no-fly one and confirming continuing a flight in the no-fly zone.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise receiving operationinformation with respect to the confirmation option and sending theoperation information to a supervisory platform.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise marking positioninformation of the UAV on the navigation map according to the positioninformation of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise displaying thenavigation map before marking the sensitive area on the navigation map.

In some embodiments, the process of generating prompt informationaccording to the positional relationship can comprise generating promptinformation instructing the UAV to land or leave the sensitive area ifthe UAV is in the sensitive area.

In some embodiments, operation information can be received and a controlinstruction is generated during a landing of the UAV, such that a flightcontroller of the UAV directs to change a flight path of the UAVaccording to the control instruction.

In some embodiments, the process of instructing the UAV to leave thesensitive area can comprise receiving operation information andgenerating a control instruction, such that the UAV is directed to leavethe sensitive area according to the control instruction; or calculatinga shortest flight path and directing the UAV to leave the sensitive areaalong the shortest path.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a prompt system for a flightof unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The prompt system can comprise aobtaining module configured to obtain sensitive area information andposition information of a UAV; a control module configured to mark asensitive area on a navigation map according to the sensitive areainformation, the sensitive area affecting a flight of the UAV; and aprocessing module configured to determine a positional relationshipbetween the UAV and the sensitive area according to the sensitive areainformation and position information of the UAV, and generate promptinformation according to the positional relationship.

In some embodiments, the obtained sensitive area information cancomprise at least one of pre-stored sensitive area information orsensitive area information received in real time.

In some embodiments, the sensitive area information can comprise a typeof sensitive area. The prompt system can further comprise a settingmodule configured to set a correspondence between the type of sensitivearea and a level of sensitivity and a correspondence between the levelof sensitivity and a pattern of marking.

In some embodiments, the type of sensitive area can at least comprise awarning zone, a releasable flight-restricted zone and a non-releasableno-fly zone. The level of sensitivity can at least comprise level one,level two, level three. In setting a correspondence between the type ofsensitive area and the level of sensitivity, the setting module can beconfigured to associate the warning zone with the level one, a sensitivearea of level one being configured to provide a warning prompt to aflight of the UAV; associate the flight-restricted zone with the leveltwo, a sensitive area of level two being configured to provide arestriction prompt to a flight of the UAV; and associate the no-fly zonewith the level three, a sensitive area of level three being configuredto provide a prohibition prompt to a flight of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the sensitive area information can further compriseposition information of sensitive area. In marking a sensitive area on anavigation map according to the sensitive area information, the controlmodule can be configured to determine a position of the sensitive areaon the navigation map according to the position information of sensitivearea; determine the level of sensitivity of the sensitive area accordingto the type of sensitive area; and mark the sensitive area using apattern of marking corresponding to the determined level of sensitivity.

In some embodiments, the control module can be further configured tomark the level of sensitivity of the sensitive area on the navigationmap.

In some embodiments, the pattern of marking can comprise at least one ofa color block or an icon. A color of the color block CAN at leastcomprises green, yellow or red. A shape of the color block can compriseat least one of a regular contour or an actual contour of a sensitivearea. The icon can at least comprise an icon of a representative objectin a sensitive area.

In some embodiments, the regular contour can comprise at least one of acircular contour, a square contour or an equilateral polygonal contour.

In some embodiments, the control module can be configured to mark thesensitive area using a color block having a regular contour. The colorblock having a regular contour can completely cover an actual contour ofthe sensitive area.

In some embodiments, the control module can be configured to mark theactual contour of the sensitive area using a dashed line.

In some embodiments, in setting a correspondence between a level ofsensitivity and a pattern of marking, the setting module can beconfigured to associate the level one with a green color block;associate the level two with a yellow color block; and associate thelevel three with a red color block.

In some embodiments, the processing module can be further configured toreceive a setting operation information with respect to adding orremoving a marking of the warning zone, and adding or removing themarking of the warning zone according to the received setting operationinformation.

In some embodiments, in determining a positional relationship betweenthe UAV and the sensitive area, the processing module can be configuredto determine the positional relationship between the UAV and the markedsensitive area according to the sensitive area information marked on thenavigation map and the position information of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the processing module can be further configured togenerate the prompt information if the positional relationship showsthat a horizontal distance between the UAV and the sensitive area isless than a predefined distance. The prompt information can comprise atleast one of the type of the sensitive area, the level of sensitivity ofthe sensitive area or a distance between the UAV and the sensitive area.

In some embodiments, the prompt system can further comprise a promptmodule configured to provide the prompt information by an audio signal;and/or display a navigation prompt interface containing the promptinformation.

In some embodiments, the processing module can be further configured togenerate the prompt information if the positional relationship showsthat a position of the UAV is within the marked sensitive area. Theprompt information can comprise at least one of the type of sensitivearea or the level of sensitivity of the sensitive area.

In some embodiments, the prompt system can further comprise a promptmodule configured to display a navigation prompt interface containingthe prompt information.

In some embodiments, the prompt module can be further configured toprovide the prompt information by an audio signal.

In some embodiments, when the positional relationship shows that aposition of the UAV is within the marked warning zone, the promptinformation can further comprise prompt information alerting a flight ofthe UAV, and the navigation prompt interface can further comprise atleast a prompt option as to whether to remove a marking of the warningzone.

In some embodiments, the processing module can be further configured tooperation information with respect to the prompt option, and remove amark of the warning zone if the operation information indicates aremoval of a marking of the warning zone.

In some embodiments, when the positional relationship shows that aposition of the UAV is within the marked flight-restricted zone, theprompt information can further comprise prompt information restricting aflight of the UAV, and the navigation prompt interface can at leastcomprise a prompt option as to whether to release the flight-restrictedzone.

In some embodiments, the processing module can be further configured toreceive operation information with respect to the prompt option; obtaina valid identity information and send the operation information and thevalid identity information to a supervisory platform if the operationinformation indicates a release of the flight-restricted zone; andremove a marking of the flight-restricted zone if a releasinginstruction is received from the supervisory platform.

In some embodiments, the valid identity information can comprise atleast one of an identity information of a UAV operator or anauthentication certificate. The authentication certificate can at leastcomprise an authenticated identity information of the UAV operator.

In some embodiments, the processing module can be further configured toremove the navigation prompt interface corresponding to the sensitivearea if a marking of the sensitive area is removed.

In some embodiments, the processing module can be further configured to,if a plurality of sensitive areas having different levels of sensitivityoverlap and a marking of a sensitive area having a lower level ofsensitivity is removed, maintain a marking of a sensitive area having ahigher level of sensitivity in the overlapped area.

In some embodiments, when the positional relationship shows that aposition of the UAV is within the marked no-fly zone, the promptinformation can further comprise prompt information prohibiting a flightof the UAV, and the navigation prompt interface can further comprise atleast one of a plurality of confirmation options including confirming apermission of entering the no-fly zone, confirming a liability of flyingin the no-fly one and confirming continuing a flight in the no-fly zone.

In some embodiments, the receiving module can be further configured toreceive operation information with respect to the confirmation optionand send the operation information to a supervisory platform.

In some embodiments, the control module can be further configured tomark position information of the UAV on the navigation map according tothe position information of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the control module can be further configured tocontrol a display screen to display the navigation map before markingthe sensitive area on the navigation map.

In some embodiments, in generating prompt information according to thepositional relationship, the processing module can be configured togenerate prompt information instructing the UAV to land or leave thesensitive area if the UAV is in the sensitive area.

In some embodiments, the processing module can be further configured toreceive operation information and generate a control instruction duringa landing of the UAV, such that a flight controller of the UAV directsto change a flight path of the UAV according to the control instruction.

In some embodiments, in instructing the UAV to leave the sensitive area,the processing module can be further configured to receive operationinformation and generate a control instruction, such that the UAV isdirected to leave the sensitive area according to the controlinstruction; or calculate a shortest flight path and directing the UAVto leave the sensitive area along the shortest path.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a control terminal.The control terminal can comprise a communication device and aprocessor, the communication device being configured to communicate withan unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and receive position information of theUAV. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to obtainsensitive area information and marking a sensitive area on a navigationmap according to the sensitive area information, the sensitive areaaffecting a flight of the UAV; obtain position information of the UAVand determining a positional relationship between the UAV and thesensitive area according to the sensitive area information and positioninformation of the UAV; and generate prompt information according to thepositional relationship.

In some embodiments, a type of sensitive area can at least comprise awarning zone, a releasable flight-restricted zone and a non-releasableno-fly zone. A level of sensitivity can at least comprise level one,level two and level three. The processor can be further configured toassociate the warning zone with the level one, a sensitive area of levelone being configured to provide a warning prompt to a flight of the UAV;associate the flight-restricted zone with the level two, a sensitivearea of level two being configured to provide a restriction prompt to aflight of the UAV; and associate the no-fly zone with the level three, asensitive area of level three being configured to provide a prohibitionprompt to a flight of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the sensitive area information can further compriseposition information of sensitive area. The processor can be configuredto determine a position of the sensitive area on the navigation mapaccording to the position information of sensitive area; determine thelevel of sensitivity of the sensitive area according to the type ofsensitive area; and mark the sensitive area using a pattern of markingcorresponding to the determined level of sensitivity.

In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to mark thesensitive area using a color block having a regular contour. The colorblock having a regular contour can completely covers an actual contourof the sensitive area.

In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to determine thepositional relationship between the UAV and the marked sensitive areaaccording to the sensitive area information marked on the navigation mapand the position information of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the processor can be further configured to markposition information of the UAV on the navigation map according to theposition information of the UAV.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a processor used in acontrol terminal of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In someembodiments, the processor can be configured to obtain sensitive areainformation and marking a sensitive area on a navigation map accordingto the sensitive area information, the sensitive area affecting a flightof the UAV; obtain position information of the UAV and determining apositional relationship between the UAV and the sensitive area accordingto the sensitive area information and position information of the UAV;and generate prompt information according to the positionalrelationship.

In some embodiments, a type of sensitive area can at least comprise awarning zone, a releasable flight-restricted zone and a non-releasableno-fly zone. A level of sensitivity can at least comprises level one,level two and level three. The processor can be further configured toassociate the warning zone with the level one, a sensitive area of levelone being configured to provide a warning prompt to a flight of the UAV;associate the flight-restricted zone with the level two, a sensitivearea of level two being configured to provide a restriction prompt to aflight of the UAV; and associate the no-fly zone with the level three, asensitive area of level three being configured to provide a prohibitionprompt to a flight of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the sensitive area information can further compriseposition information of sensitive area. The processor can be configuredto determine a position of the sensitive area on the navigation mapaccording to the position information of sensitive area; determine thelevel of sensitivity of the sensitive area according to the type ofsensitive area; and mark the sensitive area using a pattern of markingcorresponding to the determined level of sensitivity.

In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to mark thesensitive area using a color block having a regular contour. The colorblock having a regular contour can completely covers an actual contourof the sensitive area.

In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to determine thepositional relationship between the UAV and the marked sensitive areaaccording to the sensitive area information marked on the navigation mapand the position information of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the processor can be further configured to mark aflight position of the UAV on the navigation map according to theposition information of the UAV.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a memory used in acontrol terminal of a UAV. In some embodiments, the memory can beconfigured to store program instructions which are obtained by aprocessor to obtain sensitive area information and marking a sensitivearea on a navigation map according to the sensitive area information,the sensitive area affecting a flight of the UAV; obtain positioninformation of the UAV and determining a positional relationship betweenthe UAV and the sensitive area according to the sensitive areainformation and position information of the UAV; and generate promptinformation according to the positional relationship.

In some embodiments, a type of sensitive area can at least comprise awarning zone, a releasable flight-restricted zone and a non-releasableno-fly zone. In some embodiments, a level of sensitivity can at leastcomprise level one, level two and level three. The program instructionscan be further obtained by the processor to associate the warning zonewith the level one, a sensitive area of level one being configured toprovide a warning prompt to a flight of the UAV; associate theflight-restricted zone with the level two, a sensitive area of level twobeing configured to provide a restriction prompt to a flight of the UAV;and associate the no-fly zone with the level three, a sensitive area oflevel three being configured to provide a prohibition prompt to a flightof the UAV.

In some embodiments, the sensitive area information can further compriseposition information of sensitive area. The program instructions can befurther obtained by the processor to determine a position of thesensitive area on the navigation map according to the positioninformation of sensitive area; determine the level of sensitivity of thesensitive area according to the type of sensitive area; and mark thesensitive area using a pattern of marking corresponding to thedetermined level of sensitivity.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a flight system. Insome embodiments, the flight system can comprise an unmanned aerialvehicle (UAV); a control terminal configured to communicate with the UAVand control a flight of the UAV; and a processor configured to obtainsensitive area information and marking a sensitive area on a navigationmap according to the sensitive area information, the sensitive areaaffecting a flight of the UAV; obtain position information of the UAVand determining a positional relationship between the UAV and thesensitive area according to the sensitive area information and positioninformation of the UAV; and generate prompt information according to thepositional relationship.

In some embodiments, a type of sensitive area can at least comprise awarning zone, a releasable flight-restricted zone and a non-releasableno-fly zone. In some embodiments, a level of sensitivity can at leastcomprise level one, level two and level three. The processor can befurther configured to associate the warning zone with the level one, asensitive area of level one being configured to provide a warning promptto a flight of the UAV; associate the flight-restricted zone with thelevel two, a sensitive area of level two being configured to provide arestriction prompt to a flight of the UAV; and associate the no-fly zonewith the level three, a sensitive area of level three being configuredto provide a prohibition prompt to a flight of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the sensitive area information can further compriseposition information of sensitive area. The processor can be configuredto determine a position of the sensitive area on the navigation mapaccording to the position information of sensitive area; determine thelevel of sensitivity of the sensitive area according to the type ofsensitive area; and mark the sensitive area using a pattern of markingcorresponding to the determined level of sensitivity.

In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to mark thesensitive area using a color block having a regular contour. The colorblock having a regular contour can completely cover an actual contour ofthe sensitive area.

In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to determine thepositional relationship between the UAV and the marked sensitive areaaccording to the sensitive area information marked on the navigation mapand the position information of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the processor can be further configured to mark aflight position of the UAV on the navigation map according to theposition information of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the processor can be provided on the controlterminal.

With the method of providing prompt information for flight of UAVs inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure, the UAV operator can beprovided with a positional information of sensitive areas and a promptwhich is generated from a positional relationship of UAV relative tomarked sensitive areas in an intuitive manner. The UAV operator can thusmake a correct flight decision.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a flight system in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a method of providing prompt information forflight of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in accordance with embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a control terminal in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure, the control terminal comprising a promptsystem.

FIG. 4 shows functional modules of the prompt system of FIG. 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   Flight system 100-   Control terminal 20-   Communication device 21-   Memory device 22-   Processor 23-   Display screen 24-   Prompt system 25-   Obtaining module 251-   Control module 252-   Processing module 253-   Setting module 254-   Prompt module 255-   Mobile device 30-   Remote controller 40-   UAV 50-   Method of providing prompt information 200-   Steps 201-205

The present disclosure will be described in the illustrative embodimentsby reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

A better understanding of the disclosure will be obtained by referenceto the following detailed description that sets forth illustrativeembodiments with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent that,the embodiments described herein are merely provided by way of exampleonly. Those skilled in the art can conceive other embodiments in lightof those embodiments disclosed herein without inventive efforts, and allthese embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a flight system 100 in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure. The flight system 100 can comprise atleast a control terminal 20 and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 50. Thecontrol terminal 20 can be configured to communicate with the UAV 50 andcontrol a flight of the UAV 50.

In some embodiments, the control terminal 20 can be configured to mark asensitive area on a navigation map and generate a corresponding promptinformation according to a positional relationship of the UAV 50relative to the marked sensitive area, such that a UAV operator can makea correct flight decision to control the UAV 50 to fly outside thesensitive area.

In some embodiments, the control terminal 20 can comprise a mobiledevice 30 and a remote controller 40 of the UAV 50 which is connected tothe mobile device 30. The mobile device 30 can communicate with the UAV50 via the remote controller 40 and can be configured to mark asensitive area on the navigation map. The mobile device 30 can include,but not limited to, a smartphone or a tablet computer.

A communication connection can be established between the mobile device30 and the remote controller 40 using a USB serial connection. Acommunication and a data transmission can be effected between the mobiledevice 30 and the remote controller 40 through an MFI protocol (IOS) oran OTG protocol (Android). Optionally, a communication connection can beestablished between the remote controller 40 and the mobile device 30using a wireless transmission technology, such as 2.4 GHz or 5 GHzwireless technology.

A communication connection can be established between the remotecontroller 40 and the UAV 50 using a wireless transmission technology,such as 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz wireless technology.

Alternatively, the control terminal 20 can be a multi-function remotecontroller 40 which incorporates functions of the mobile device 30 andthe remote controller 40 of the UAV 50.

In some embodiments, the flight system 100 can further comprise asupervisory platform 60. The supervisory platform 60 can be configuredto communicate with the control terminal 20, obtain a flight stateinformation of the UAV 50 to monitor a flight behavior of the UAV 50,and send sensitive area information in real time to the control terminal20, such that the UAV operator is informed to control the UAV 50 toavoid a sensitive area.

In some instances, a communication connection can be established betweenthe supervisory platform 60 and the control terminal 20 using a mobilecommunication network (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G network) and/or wirelessaccess (e.g., WI-FI).

In some instances, the supervisory platform 60 can communicate with theUAV 50 directly or indirectly, and send a flight restriction instructionto the UAV 50 while the UAV 50 is flying in a sensitive area in breachof security regulations so as to directly control a flight of the UAV50.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a method 200 of providing prompt informationfor a flight of UAV in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. Insome instances, the method can be implemented by a processor. It will beappreciated that, the method of the disclosure is not limited to thesteps and sequence shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2. For instance,additional step can be added to the flowchart of FIG. 2. For instances,one or more steps shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 can be cancelled. Forinstance, a sequence of performing the steps shown in the flowchart ofFIG. 2 can be altered. In some embodiments, a processing of the methodof providing prompt information 200 can start from step 201.

In step 201, a navigation map can be displayed.

It will be appreciated that, the navigation map can be a map which isgenerated from data pre-stored in a map database. In some embodiments,the step of displaying a navigation map can be omitted. For instance, aconnection can be established with a map provider platform or athird-party platform, such that a map can be directly displayed by themap provider platform or the third-party platform.

In step 202, sensitive area information can be obtained, and a sensitivearea can be marked on the navigation map according to the sensitive areainformation. The sensitive area can be provided to affect a flight ofthe UAV.

In some embodiments, the obtained sensitive area information cancomprise at least one of pre-stored sensitive area information orsensitive area information received in real time. The sensitive areainformation received in real time can be information pushed from asupervisory platform. In some instances, the sensitive area informationreceived in real time can comprise a static data and a dynamic data. Thestatic data can comprise a sensitive area parameter which is initiallyprovided, and the dynamic data can comprise a sensitive area parameterwhich is updated in real time.

In some embodiments, the sensitive area information can comprise a typeof sensitive area, also referred to as a “sensitive area type.” Themethod of providing prompt information 200 in accordance with theembodiment can further comprise setting a correspondence between a typeof sensitive area and a level of sensitivity, and setting acorrespondence between a level of sensitivity and a pattern of marking,also referred to as a “marking pattern.”

In some embodiments, the type of sensitive area can be one of at least awarning zone type (or simply a “warning zone”), a releasableflight-restricted zone type (or simply a releasable flight-restrictedzone”), and a non-releasable no-fly zone type (or simply a“non-releasable no-fly zone”). The level of sensitivity can be one of atleast level one, level two and level three.

In some embodiments, setting a correspondence between a type ofsensitive area and a level of sensitivity can comprise: associate thewarning zone with the level one, a sensitive area of level one beingconfigured to provide a warning prompt to a flight of the UAV; associatethe flight-restricted zone with the level two, a sensitive area of leveltwo being configured to provide a restriction prompt to a flight of theUAV; and associate the no-fly zone with the level three, a sensitivearea of level three being configured to provide a prohibition prompt toa flight of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the sensitive area information can compriseposition information of the sensitive area. The process of marking asensitive area on a navigation map according to the sensitive areainformation can comprise: determining a position of the sensitive areaon the navigation map according to position information of the sensitivearea; determining a level of sensitivity of the sensitive area accordingto the type of sensitive area; and marking the sensitive area using apattern of marking corresponding to the determined level of sensitivity.

Optionally, the method of providing prompt information 200 in accordancewith the embodiment can further comprise marking the level ofsensitivity of the sensitive area on the navigation map.

In some embodiments, the pattern of marking can comprise at least one ofa color block or an icon.

In some instances, a shape of the color block can comprise at least oneof a regular contour or an actual contour of the sensitive area. Theregular contour can comprise at least one of a circular contour, asquare contour or an equilateral polygonal contour.

In the method of providing prompt information 200 according toembodiments of the disclosure, a color block having a regular contourcan be used to mark the sensitive area, where the color block having aregular contour can completely cover an actual contour of the sensitivearea.

It will be appreciated that, the actual contour of the sensitive areacan comprise various irregular contours. Therefore, a non-sensitive areacan be covered by the color block having a regular contour if a colorblock having a regular contour is used to mark the sensitive area.

In some instances, an actual contour of the sensitive area can be anirregular shape or a shape having a large number of feature points. Anintensive computation can be performed by the UAV to determine apositional relationship between the UAV and the sensitive area once theUAV receives a parameter of the actual contour of the sensitive area. Aregular shape or a shape having less feature points can be used to coverthe actual contour of the sensitive area, such that a computationalburden on a flight controller of the UAV can be reduced, and thus arequirement on a configuration of the UAV can be lowered to reduce acost. For instance, a circle or a rectangle covering the actual contourcan be displayed if an actual contour of the sensitive area is a polygonor an irregular shape.

In some instances, the method of providing prompt information 200 inaccordance with the embodiment can further comprise marking the actualcontour of the sensitive using a dashed line. The operator can clearlylearn a position and a range of the actual sensitive area by displayingthe actual contour of the sensitive area in a regular contour. It willbe appreciated that, a solid line or a different color can optionally beused to mark the actual contour of the sensitive area.

In some embodiments, a color of the color block can at least comprise agreen color, a yellow color and a red color. The process of setting acorrespondence between a level of sensitivity and a pattern of markingcan comprise: associating the level one with a green color block;associating the level two with a yellow color block; and associating thelevel three with a red color block.

In some instances, the icon can at least comprise an icon of arepresentative object in the sensitive area. For example, an airplaneicon can be used to mark an airport, a certain animal icon can be usedto mark a zoo, and a doctor avatar icon can be used to mark a hospital.

It will be appreciated that, in the method of providing promptinformation 200, a color block or an icon can be solely used to mark thesensitive area. In some instances, however, in case a density of thesensitive areas is high or a size of sensitive areas is small, somesensitive areas may not be clearly displayed on the navigation maphaving a limited size if the sensitive areas are solely marked withcolor blocks. Therefore, in the method of providing prompt information200, both a color block and an icon can be used to mark the sensitiveareas. For instance, a color block can be used to mark some of thesensitive areas, and an icon can be used to mark the others.

In step 203, position information of the UAV can be obtained, and apositional relationship between the UAV and the sensitive area can bedetermined according to the sensitive area information and positioninformation of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the step 203 can comprise determining a positionalrelationship between the UAV and the marked sensitive area according tothe sensitive area information marked on the navigation map and theposition information of the UAV.

Alternatively, the step 203 can comprise determining a positionalrelationship between the UAV and the sensitive area according to theposition information of a sensitive area included in the sensitive areainformation and the position information of the UAV.

It will be appreciated that, the flight controller of the UAV can beconfigured to obtain the sensitive area information and determine apositional relationship between the UAV and the sensitive area accordingto the sensitive area information and the position information of theUAV. Therefore, in alternative embodiments, in the step 203, thepositional relationship between the UAV and the sensitive area can bedetermined by the flight controller of the UAV.

Optionally, the method of providing prompt information 200 can furthercomprise marking the flight position of the UAV on the navigation mapaccording to the position information of the UAV, such that the UAVoperator can intuitively observe the positional relationship between theUAV and the sensitive area.

In step 204, prompt information can be generated according to thepositional relationship.

In step 205, a navigation prompt interface containing the promptinformation can be displayed.

In some embodiments, the method of providing prompt information 200 canfurther comprise providing the prompt information by an audio signal.

In some embodiments, the prompt information can be generated when thepositional relationship shows that a horizontal distance between the UAVand the sensitive area is less than a predefined distance. The promptinformation can comprise at least one of a type of the sensitive area, alevel of sensitivity of the sensitive area or a distance between the UAVand the sensitive area.

In some embodiments, in the method of providing prompt information 200,a color block having a circular contour can be used to mark thesensitive area, such that a distance between the UAV and a surroundingsensitive area can be calculated.

In some embodiments, the prompt information can be generated when thepositional relationship shows that a position of the UAV is within themarked sensitive area. The prompt information can comprise at least oneof a type of the sensitive area or a level of sensitivity of thesensitive area.

In some instances, when the positional relationship shows that aposition of the UAV is within the marked warning zone (e.g., the UAVflies within the warning zone), the prompt information can compriseprompt information alerting the UAV, and the navigation prompt interfacecan at least comprise a prompt option as to whether to remove a markingof the warning zone.

In some embodiments, the method of providing prompt information 200 canfurther comprise receiving operation information with respect to theprompt option, and if the operation information indicates a removal of amarking of the warning zone, removing the marking of the warning zone.

In some embodiments, the method of providing prompt information 200 canfurther comprise receiving a setting operation information with respectto adding or removing a marking of the warning zone, and adding orremoving the marking of the warning zone according to the receivedsetting operation information.

It will be appreciated that, when the UAV flies in the warning zone, theprompt information can be configured to alert a flight of the UAVwithout imposing a restriction on a flight of the UAV. For example, aflight of the UAV in the warning zone may not be restricted, and the UAVoperator can decide to turn on or turn off the marking of the warningzone in light of actual situations.

In some embodiments, when the positional relationship shows that aposition of the UAV is within the marked flight-restricted zone (e.g.,when the UAV flies in the flight-restricted zone), the promptinformation can comprise prompt information restricting a flight of theUAV, and the navigation prompt interface can at least comprise a promptoption as to whether to release the flight-restricted zone.

The method of providing prompt information 200 can further comprise:receiving operation information with respect to the prompt option; ifthe operation information indicates a release of the flight-restrictedzone, obtaining a valid identity information, and sending the operationinformation and the valid identity information to a supervisoryplatform; and removing a marking of the flight-restricted zone (e.g.,releasing the flight-restricted zone) if a releasing instruction isreceived from the supervisory platform.

In some embodiments, the valid identity information can comprise atleast one of an identity information of the UAV operator or anauthentication certificate. The authentication certificate can at leastcomprise an authenticated identity information of the UAV operator. Theoperation information and the valid identity information can besubmitted to the supervisory platform via an online verificationplatform.

In some embodiments, the method of providing prompt information 200 canfurther comprise removing a navigation prompt interface corresponding toa sensitive area if a marking of the sensitive area is removed.

In some embodiments, the method of providing prompt information 200 canfurther comprise, if a plurality of sensitive areas having differentlevels of sensitivity overlap and a marking of a sensitive area having alower level of sensitivity is removed, maintaining a marking of asensitive area having a higher level of sensitivity in the overlappedarea.

For instance, when a yellow color block marking a flight-restricted zoneoverlaps with a red color block marking a no-fly zone, or when a redcolor block is completely covered by a yellow color block, or when ayellow color block is completely covered by a red color block, the redcolor block can be maintained in the overlapped area even if theflight-restricted zone is released (e.g., the yellow color block isremoved) as the no-fly zone is not released.

In some embodiments, the prompt information can comprise promptinformation prohibiting a flight of the UAV if the positionalrelationship shows that a position of the UAV is within the markedno-fly zone (e.g., the UAV flies in the no-fly zone). The navigationprompt interface can comprise at least one of a plurality ofconfirmation options, the confirmation options including confirming apermission of entering the no-fly zone, confirming a liability of flyingin the no-fly one and confirming continuing a flight in the no-fly zone.

In some embodiments, the method of providing prompt information 200 canfurther comprise receiving operation information with respect to theconfirmation option and sending the operation information to thesupervisory platform, such that the supervisory platform can monitor aflight of the UAV and pursue legal action against the UAV operator ifthe UAV flies in a sensitive area in breach of security regulations.

In some instances, if the sensitive area information is initially notavailable to the UAV or the sensitive area information is updated duringa flight of the UAV, the UAV can already be positioned in a sensitivearea once the sensitive area information is obtained or updated. In thiscase, prompt information can be generated according to positioninformation of the UAV and the sensitive area. In some embodiments, theprompt information can comprise prompt information instructing the UAVto land or leave the sensitive area. In some instances, operationinformation can be received and a control instruction can be generatedduring a landing of the UAV, such that the flight controller of the UAVcan direct to change a flight path of the UAV according to the controlinstruction. In some instances, the process of providing promptinformation instructing the UAV to leave the sensitive area can comprisereceiving operation information and generating a control instruction,such that the UAV can be directed to leave the sensitive area accordingto the control instruction. In some instances, the process of providingprompt information instructing the UAV to leave the sensitive area cancomprise calculating a shortest flight path and directing the UAV toleave the sensitive area along the shortest path. It will be appreciatedthat, the shortest path can be calculated by the flight controller ofthe UAV.

With the method of providing prompt information for UAV in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure, a sensitive area can be intuitivelymarked on a navigation map and prompt information can be generatedaccording to a positional relationship between the UAV and the sensitivearea, such that a UAV operator can make a correct flight decision andavoid a flight of the UAV in the sensitive area.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a control terminal 20 in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure. The control terminal can be configured tocontrol a flight of a UAV. In some embodiments, the control terminal 20can include, but not limited to, a communication device 21, a memorydevice 22, a processor and a display screen 24. The memory device 22 canbe configured to store various data of the control terminal 20,including an identity information of the UAV operator, an identityinformation of the UAV and/or sensitive area information. In someinstances, the memory device 22 can be an internal memory of the controlterminal 20. Optionally, the memory device 22 can be a removable storagedevice, such as a removable media card, an external flash disk, or othertype of flash memory or memory. The processor 23 can be configured tocontrol an operation of the control terminal 20. The processor 23 can bea central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signalprocessor or other type of data processing chip.

The communication device 21 can be configured to communicate with a UAV.For instance, the communication device 21 can receive a UAV positioninformation from the UAV. The display screen 24 can be configured todisplay data and an interface with which the control terminal 20 caninteract with a user.

In some embodiments, the control terminal 20 can further comprise aprompt system 25. The prompt system 25 can be provided in the memorydevice 22 as a software program or instructions and executed by theprocessor 23. In some embodiments, the prompt system 25 can be dividedinto one or more modules, the one or more modules being stored in thememory device 22 and executed by one or more processors 23 (e.g., oneprocessor 23 in some embodiments). With the prompt system 25, thecontrol terminal 20 can be configured to intuitively mark a sensitivearea on a navigation map and generate a corresponding prompt informationaccording to a positional relationship between the UAV and the sensitivearea, such that a UAV operator can make a correct flight decision.

FIG. 4 shows functional modules of the prompt system 25 in the controlterminal 20 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. In someembodiments, the prompt system 25 can include, but not limited to, anobtaining module 251, a control module 252 and a processing module 253.In some instances, various functional modules can be implemented asprogram instructions capable of effecting specific functions. In thedisclosure, a software program can be described as a module as it iseasier to describe an execution of the functional modules in a computer(e.g., in the processor 23 of the control terminal 20). It will beappreciated that, a functional module can be implemented as a hardwareor a firmware.

The control module 252 can be configured to direct the display screen 24to display a navigation map. It will be appreciated that, the navigationmap can be a map which is generated from data pre-stored in a mapdatabase. Alternatively, the control module 252 can be configured todirect the communication device 21 of the control terminal 20 toestablish a connection with a map provider platform or a third-partyplatform, such that a map can be directly displayed by the map providerplatform or the third-party platform.

The obtaining module 251 can be configured to obtain sensitive areainformation. In some embodiments, the obtained sensitive areainformation can comprise at least one of pre-stored sensitive areainformation or sensitive area information received in real time. Thesensitive area information received in real time can be informationpushed from a supervisory platform, and can comprise a static data and adynamic data. The static data can comprise a sensitive area parameterwhich is initially provided, and the dynamic data can comprise asensitive area parameter which is updated in real time.

In some embodiments, the control terminal 252 can be configured to marka sensitive area on a navigation map according to the sensitive areainformation. The sensitive area can be configured to affect a flight ofthe UAV.

In some embodiments, the sensitive area information can comprise a typeof sensitive area.

In some embodiments, the prompt system 25 can further comprise a settingmodule 254 which is configured to set a correspondence between a type ofsensitive area and a level of sensitivity and set a correspondencebetween a level of sensitivity and a pattern of marking.

In some embodiments, the type of sensitive area can at least comprise awarning zone, a releasable flight-restricted zone and a non-releasableno-fly zone. The level of sensitivity can at least comprise level one,level two and level three.

In setting a correspondence between a type of sensitive area and a levelof sensitivity, the setting module 254 can be configured to associatingthe warning zone with the level one, a sensitive area of level one beingconfigured to provide a warning prompt to a flight of the UAV;associating the flight-restricted zone with the level two, a sensitivearea of level two being configured to provide a restriction prompt to aflight of the UAV; and associating the no-fly zone with the level three,a sensitive area of level three being configured to provide aprohibition prompt to a flight of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the sensitive area information can compriseposition information of the sensitive area. In marking a sensitive areaon a navigation map according to the sensitive area information, thecontrol terminal 252 can be configured to determine a position of thesensitive area on the navigation map according to position informationof the sensitive area; determine a level of sensitivity of the sensitivearea according to the type of the sensitive area; and mark the sensitivearea using a pattern of marking corresponding to the determined level ofsensitivity.

In some embodiments, the control module 252 can further be configured tomark the level of sensitivity of the sensitive area on the navigationmap.

In some embodiments, the pattern of marking can comprise at least one ofa color block or an icon.

In some instances, a shape of the color block can comprise at least oneof a regular contour or an actual contour of the sensitive area. Theregular contour can comprise at least one of a circular contour, asquare contour or an equilateral polygonal contour.

In some embodiments, the control module 252 can be configured to markthe sensitive area using a color block having a regular contour, wherethe color block having a regular contour can completely cover an actualcontour of the sensitive area.

It will be appreciated that, the actual contour of the sensitive areacan comprise various irregular contours. Therefore, a non-sensitive areacan be covered by the color block having a regular contour if a colorblock having a regular contour is used to mark the sensitive area.

In some instances, an actual contour of the sensitive area can be anirregular shape or a shape having a large number of feature points. Anintensive computation can be performed by the UAV to determine apositional relationship between the UAV and the sensitive area once theUAV receives a parameter of the actual contour of the sensitive area. Aregular shape or a shape having less feature points can be used to coverthe actual contour of the sensitive area, such that a computationalburden on a flight controller of the UAV can be reduced, and thus arequirement on a configuration of the UAV can be lowered to reduce acost. For instance, a circle or a rectangle covering the actual contourcan be displayed if an actual contour of the sensitive area is a polygonor an irregular shape.

In some instances, the control module 252 can be further configured tomark the actual contour of the sensitive using a dashed line. Theoperator can clearly learn a position and a range of the actualsensitive area by displaying the actual contour of the sensitive area ina regular contour. It will be appreciated that, a solid line or adifferent color can optionally be used to mark the actual contour of thesensitive area.

In some embodiments, a color of the color block can at least comprise agreen color, a yellow color and a red color. In setting a correspondencebetween a level of sensitivity and a pattern of marking, the settingmodule 254 can be configured to associate the level one with a greencolor block; associate the level two with a yellow color block; andassociate the level three with a red color block.

In some instances, the icon can at least comprise an icon of arepresentative object in the sensitive area. For example, an airplaneicon can be used to mark an airport, a certain animal icon can be usedto mark a zoo, and a doctor avatar icon can be used to mark a hospital.

It will be appreciated that, the control terminal 252 can be configuredto mark the sensitive area solely with a color block or an icon. In someinstances, however, in case a density of the sensitive areas is high ora size of sensitive areas is small, some sensitive areas may not beclearly displayed on the navigation map having a limited size if thesensitive areas are solely marked with color blocks. Therefore, thecontrol terminal 252 can be optionally configured to mark the sensitiveareas using both a color block and an icon. For instance, a color blockcan be used to mark some of the sensitive areas, and an icon can be usedto mark the others.

The obtaining module 251 can be further configured to obtain positioninformation of the UAV. The processing module 253 can be configured todetermine a positional relationship between the UAV and the sensitivearea according to the sensitive area information and positioninformation of the UAV.

In some embodiments, the processing module 253 can be configured todetermine a positional relationship between the UAV and the markedsensitive area according to the sensitive area information marked on thenavigation map and the position information of the UAV.

Alternatively, the processing module 253 can be configured to determinea positional relationship between the UAV and the sensitive areaaccording to the position information of a sensitive area included inthe sensitive area information and the position information of the UAV.

It will be appreciated that, the flight controller of the UAV can beconfigured to obtain the sensitive area information and determine apositional relationship between the UAV and the sensitive area accordingto the sensitive area information and the position information of theUAV. Therefore, in alternative embodiments, the positional relationshipbetween the UAV and the sensitive area can be determined by the flightcontroller of the UAV.

Optionally, the control terminal 252 can further be configured to markthe flight position of the UAV on the navigation map according to theposition information of the UAV, such that the UAV operator canintuitively observe the positional relationship between the UAV and thesensitive area.

In some embodiments, the processing module 253 can be further configuredto generate prompt information according to the positional relationship.

In some embodiments, the prompt system 25 can further comprise a promptmodule 255 configured to control an audio output device (not shown) ofthe control terminal 20 (e.g., a loudspeaker) to provide the promptinformation by an audio signal. Additionally or alternatively, theprompt module 255 can be configured to control a display screen of thecontrol terminal 20 to display a navigation prompt interface containingthe prompt information.

In some embodiments, the processing module 253 can further be configuredto generate the prompt information when the positional relationshipshows that a horizontal distance between the UAV and the sensitive areais less than a predefined distance. The prompt information can compriseat least one of a type of the sensitive area, a level of sensitivity ofthe sensitive area or a distance between the UAV and the sensitive area.

In some embodiments, the control module 252 can be configured to markthe sensitive area using a color block having a circular contour, suchthat a distance between the UAV and a surrounding sensitive area can becalculated.

In some embodiments, the processing module 253 can further be configuredto generate the prompt information when the positional relationshipshows that a position of the UAV is within the marked sensitive area.The prompt information can comprise at least one of a type of thesensitive area or a level of sensitivity of the sensitive area.

In some instances, when the positional relationship shows that aposition of the UAV is within the marked warning zone (e.g., the UAVflies within the warning zone), the prompt information can compriseprompt information alerting the UAV, and the navigation prompt interfacecan at least comprise a prompt option as to whether to remove a markingof the warning zone.

In some embodiments, the processing module 253 can further be configuredto receive operation information with respect to the prompt option, andif the operation information indicates a removal of a marking of thewarning zone, remove the marking of the warning zone.

In some embodiments, the processing module 253 can further be configuredto receive a setting operation information with respect to adding orremoving a marking of the warning zone, and add or remove the marking ofthe warning zone according to the received setting operationinformation.

It will be appreciated that, when the UAV flies in the warning zone, theprompt information can be configured to alert a flight of the UAVwithout imposing a restriction on a flight of the UAV. For example, aflight of the UAV in the warning zone may not be restricted, and the UAVoperator can decide to turn on or turn off the marking of the warningzone in light of actual situations.

In some embodiments, when the positional relationship shows that aposition of the UAV is within the marked flight-restricted zone (e.g.,when the UAV flies in the flight-restricted zone), the promptinformation can comprise prompt information restricting a flight of theUAV, and the navigation prompt interface can at least comprise a promptoption as to whether to release the flight-restricted zone.

The processing module 253 can further be configured to receive operationinformation with respect to the prompt option; if the operationinformation indicates a release of the flight-restricted zone, obtain avalid identity information, and send the operation information and thevalid identity information to a supervisory platform; and remove amarking of the flight-restricted zone (e.g., releasing theflight-restricted zone) if a releasing instruction is received from thesupervisory platform.

In some embodiments, the valid identity information can comprise atleast one of an identity information of the UAV operator or anauthentication certificate. The authentication certificate can at leastcomprise an authenticated identity information of the UAV operator. Theoperation information and the valid identity information can besubmitted to the supervisory platform via an online verificationplatform.

In some embodiments, the processing module 253 can further be configuredto remove a navigation prompt interface corresponding to a sensitivearea if a marking of the sensitive area is removed.

In some embodiments, the processing module 253 can further be configuredto, if a plurality of sensitive areas having different levels ofsensitivity overlap and a marking of a sensitive area having a lowerlevel of sensitivity is removed, maintain a marking of a sensitive areahaving a higher level of sensitivity in the overlapped area.

For instance, when a yellow color block marking a flight-restricted zoneoverlaps with a red color block marking a no-fly zone, or when a redcolor block is completely covered by a yellow color block, or when ayellow color block is completely covered by a red color block, the redcolor block can be maintained in the overlapped area even if theflight-restricted zone is released (e.g., the yellow color block isremoved) as the no-fly zone is not released.

In some embodiments, when the positional relationship shows that aposition of the UAV is within the marked no-fly zone (e.g., the UAVflies in the no-fly zone), the prompt information can comprise promptinformation prohibiting a flight of the UAV. The navigation promptinterface can comprise at least one of a plurality of confirmationoptions, the confirmation options including confirming a permission ofentering the no-fly zone, confirming a liability of flying in the no-flyone and confirming a flight in the no-fly zone.

In some embodiments, the processing module 253 can further be configuredto receive operation information with respect to the confirmation optionand send the operation information to the supervisory platform, suchthat the supervisory platform can monitor a flight of the UAV and pursuelegal action against the UAV operator if the UAV flies in a sensitivearea in breach of security regulations.

In some instances, if the sensitive area information is initially notavailable to the obtaining module 251 or the flight controller of theUAV or the sensitive area information is updated during a flight of theUAV, the UAV can already be positioned in a sensitive area once thesensitive area information is obtained or updated. In this case, promptinformation can be generated by the processing module 253 according toposition information of the UAV and the sensitive area. In someembodiments, the prompt information can comprise prompt informationinstructing the UAV to land or leave the sensitive area. In someinstances, operation information can be received and a controlinstruction can be generated by the processing module 253 during alanding of the UAV, such that the flight controller of the UAV candirect to change a flight path of the UAV according to the controlinstruction. In some instances, operation information can be receivedand a control instruction can be generated by the processing module 253during UAV leaving the sensitive area, such that the UAV can be directedto leave the sensitive area according to the control instruction. Insome instances, a shortest flight path can be calculated by theprocessing module 253 to direct the UAV to leave the sensitive areaalong the shortest path. It will be appreciated that, the shortest pathcan be calculated by the flight controller of the UAV.

With the prompt system 25 for a flight of UAV in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure, a sensitive area can be intuitivelymarked on a navigation map and prompt information can be generatedaccording to a positional relationship between the UAV and the sensitivearea, such that a UAV operator can make a correct flight decision andavoid a flight of the UAV in the sensitive area.

It will be appreciated that, various functional modules of the promptsystem 25 can be implemented corresponding to relevant steps describedwith reference to FIG. 2.

It will be appreciated that, the device and method disclosed inembodiments of the disclosure can be implemented in various othermanners. For instance, the described device embodiments are merelyillustrative. For instance, a division of modules or units is merely adivision based upon a logical function. Various divisions can bepossible in actual implementation. For instance, multiple units orcomponents can be combined or integrated on another system. Forinstance, some features can be ignored or not be performed. Forinstance, a mutual coupling, a direct coupling or a communicationconnection as shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or acommunication connection via an interface, a means or a unit. Thecoupling can be an electrical coupling or a mechanical coupling.

The units illustrated as separate parts may or may not be physicallyseparated. The parts shown as units may or may not be physical units.For instance, the parts can be provided at the same location ordistributed over a plurality of network units. All or part of the unitscan be selected to implement the embodiments of the disclosure accordingto actual requirements.

Various functional units in the embodiments of the disclosure may beintegrated in one processing unit. The functional units can be separateand physical units. Two or more units may be integrated in one unit. Theintegrated units may be implemented as hardware or software functionalunits.

The integrated units, if implemented as software functional units andsold or used as independent products, may be stored in acomputer-readable storage medium. With such an understanding,essentially the technical solution of the disclosure, or a part makingcontribution over the prior art, or all or part of the technicalsolution may be embodied as a software product. The computer softwareproduct is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructionsfor causing a computer processor to execute all or part of steps of themethod according to the various embodiments of the present disclosure.The above mentioned storage medium includes: various media capable ofstoring program code, such as a U disk, a removable hard disk, ROM(read-only memory), RAM (random access memory), a diskette, an opticaldisk, etc.

The embodiments as described hereinabove are intended to merelyillustrate rather than limit the disclosure. While some embodiments ofthe disclosure are shown and described herein, numerous variations andsubstitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of providing prompt informationcomprising: obtaining sensitive area information and marking a sensitivearea on a navigation map according to the sensitive area information,the sensitive area affecting a flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV), the sensitive area information includes a sensitive area type,the sensitive area type being one of a warning zone type, a releasableflight-restricted zone type, or a non-releasable no-fly zone type;obtaining position information of the UAV and determining a positionalrelationship between the UAV and the sensitive area according to thesensitive area information and the position information of the UAV;generating the prompt information according to the positionalrelationship and the sensitive area information; and in response to thepositional relationship showing that the UAV is within the sensitivearea and the sensitive area type being the flight-restricted zone type,displaying a prompt option as to whether to release theflight-restricted zone, obtaining identity information for verificationafter receiving a request to release the flight-restriction zone, andremoving an indication of flight restriction from the sensitive areaafter the identity information has been verified.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the sensitive area information includes at least one ofpre-stored sensitive area information or sensitive area informationreceived in real time.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:setting a correspondence between the sensitive area type and a level ofsensitivity; and setting a correspondence between the level ofsensitivity and a marking patterns.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein:the level of sensitivity includes at least one of level one, level two,or level three; setting the correspondence between the sensitive areatype and the level of sensitivity includes at least one of: associatingthe warning zone type with the level one; associating theflight-restricted zone type with the level two; or associating theno-fly zone type with the level three; and the prompt informationincludes at least one of: a warning prompt in response to the sensitiveare corresponding to the warning zone type associated with the levelone; a restriction prompt in response to the sensitive areacorresponding to the flight-restricted zone type associated with thelevel two; or a prohibition prompt in response to the sensitive areacorresponding to the no-fly zone type associated with the level three.5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sensitive area information furtherincludes position information of the sensitive area; the method furthercomprising: marking the sensitive area on a navigation map according tothe sensitive area information by: determining a position of thesensitive area on the navigation map according to the positioninformation of the sensitive area; determining the level of sensitivityof the sensitive area according to the sensitive area type; and markingthe sensitive area using the marking pattern corresponding to the levelof sensitivity.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein: the marking patternincludes at least one of a color block or an icon; a color of the colorblock includes at least one of green, yellow, or red; a shape of thecolor block includes at least one of a regular contour or an actualcontour of the sensitive area; and the icon includes at least an icon ofa representative object in the sensitive area.
 7. The method of claim 5,wherein marking the sensitive area includes marking the sensitive areausing a color block having a regular contour completely covering anactual contour of the sensitive area.
 8. The method of claim 5, whereindetermining the positional relationship between the UAV and thesensitive area according to the sensitive area information and theposition information of the UAV includes: determining the positionalrelationship between the UAV and the marked sensitive area according tothe sensitive area information marked on the navigation map and theposition information of the UAV.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein: theprompt information is generated in response to the positionalrelationship showing that a horizontal distance between the UAV and thesensitive area is less than a predefined distance; and the promptinformation includes at least one of the sensitive area type, the levelof sensitivity of the sensitive area, or a distance between the UAV andthe sensitive area.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the promptinformation is generated in response to the positional relationshipshowing that a position of the UAV is within the marked sensitive area,and wherein the prompt information comprises at least one of thesensitive area type or the level of sensitivity of the sensitive area.11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: displaying a navigationprompt interface containing the prompt information.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein: in response to the positional relationship showingthat the position of the UAV is within a warning zone, the promptinformation further includes prompt information alerting the flight ofthe UAV and the navigation prompt interface further includes at least aprompt option as to whether to remove a marking of the warning zone; orin response to the positional relationship showing that the position ofthe UAV is within a no-fly zone, the prompt information further includesprompt information prohibiting the flight of the UAV and the navigationprompt interface further includes at least one of a plurality ofconfirmation options including confirming a permission of entering theno-fly zone, confirming a liability of flying in the no-fly zone, andconfirming continuing to fly in the no-fly zone.
 13. The method of claim1, wherein generating the prompt information according to the positionalrelationship includes generating prompt information instructing the UAVto land or leave the sensitive area in response to the UAV being in thesensitive area.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein generating theprompt information instructing the UAV to leave the sensitive areaincludes: receiving operation information and generating a controlinstruction, the control instruction directing the UAV to leave thesensitive area; or calculating a shortest flight path and directing theUAV to leave the sensitive area along the shortest path.
 15. A controlterminal comprising: a communication device configured to communicatewith an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and receive position informationof the UAV; and a processor configured to: obtain sensitive areainformation and mark a sensitive area on a navigation map according tothe sensitive area information, the sensitive area affecting a flight ofthe UAV, the sensitive area information includes a sensitive area type,the sensitive area type being one of a warning zone type, a releasableflight-restricted zone type, or a non-releasable no-fly zone type;obtain position information of the UAV and determine a positionalrelationship between the UAV and the sensitive area according to thesensitive area information and position information of the UAV; generateprompt information according to the positional relationship and thesensitive area information; and in response to the positionalrelationship showing that the UAV is within the sensitive area and thesensitive area type being the flight-restricted zone type, display aprompt option as to whether to release the flight-restricted zone,obtain identity information for verification after receiving a requestto release the flight-restriction zone, and remove an indication offlight restriction from the sensitive area after the identityinformation has been verified.
 16. The control terminal of claim 15,wherein the processor is further configured to: associate the warningzone type with level one corresponding to a warning prompt to the flightof the UAV; associate the flight-restricted zone type with level twocorresponding to a restriction prompt to a flight of the UAV; andassociate the no-fly zone type with level three corresponding to aprohibition prompt to a flight of the UAV.
 17. The control terminal ofclaim 16, wherein: the sensitive area information further includesposition information of the sensitive area; and the processor is furtherconfigured to: determine a position of the sensitive area on thenavigation map according to the position information of the sensitivearea; determine a level of sensitivity of the sensitive area accordingto the sensitive area type; and mark the sensitive area using a markingpattern corresponding to the level of sensitivity.
 18. The controlterminal of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to:mark the sensitive area using a color block having a regular contourcompletely covering an actual contour of the sensitive area; ordetermine the positional relationship between the UAV and the sensitivearea according to the sensitive area information marked on thenavigation map and the position information of the UAV.
 19. The controlterminal of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured tomark a flight position of the UAV on the navigation map according to theposition information of the UAV.
 20. A processor used in a controlterminal of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), wherein the processor isconfigured to: obtain sensitive area information and mark a sensitivearea on a navigation map according to the sensitive area information,the sensitive area affecting a flight of the UAV, the sensitive areainformation includes a sensitive area type, the sensitive area typebeing one of a warning zone type, a releasable flight-restricted zonetype, or a non-releasable no-fly zone type; obtain position informationof the UAV and determine a positional relationship between the UAV andthe sensitive area according to the sensitive area information andposition information of the UAV; generate prompt information accordingto the positional relationship and the sensitive area information; andin response to the positional relationship showing that the UAV iswithin the sensitive area and the sensitive area type being theflight-restricted zone type, display a prompt option as to whether torelease the flight-restricted zone, obtain identity information forverification after receiving a request to release the flight-restrictionzone, and remove an indication of flight restriction from the sensitivearea after the identity information has been verified.